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Published on: November 4, 2010

Use of calcium channel blocking agents in the management of childhood asthma

C K Naspitz

    The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Calcium channels are crucial for asthma development. Calcium channel blockers, including sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen, show promise for preventing childhood asthma, though more research is needed for classic antagonists.

    Area of Science:

    • Pulmonology
    • Cellular Biology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Cellular function in bronchial asthma pathogenesis is calcium-dependent.
    • The "Ca2+ hypothesis of asthma" proposes that calcium channel blockers may offer therapeutic benefits.
    • Limited clinical trials exist for classic calcium antagonists in pediatric asthma.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the role of calcium channel blockers in asthma management.
    • To evaluate the potential of existing medications as calcium channel blockers for asthma prophylaxis.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing clinical data and pharmacological properties.
    • Analysis of the mechanism of action for sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen.

    Main Results:

    • Sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen, established treatments, exhibit calcium channel blocking properties.
    • These agents appear to play a significant role in the prophylactic management of bronchial asthma.

    Conclusions:

    • Calcium channel modulation is a key factor in asthma.
    • Sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen are effective prophylactic agents for asthma due to their calcium channel blocking activity.
    • Further investigation is warranted for the broader application of calcium antagonists in childhood asthma.

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